I'm an atheist (literally), and it would never occur to me to join a religious forum. It would be offensive for me to claim that my way is superior, and childish even to offer it as an alternative. I assume that the members are all capable of making their own decisions, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest that they've chosen to live their lives differently than I have.

I'm personally torn on this issue because asking why effects are necessary or why one uses them could potentially change one's mind. In other words, maybe a person really doesn't know why an effect pedal would be used for bass, and perhaps that person could be convinced to try one out. Potentially then that theoretical person could become an ardent and vocal supporter of all things effects. Yes, this is a utopian scenario perhaps, but it seems like to limit discussion is never a good thing.

Regarding the trolling aspect of this topic, I've been accused of trolling here when that was the furthest thing from my mind, so not everyone you think is trolling is actually trolling. Some people might genuinely be curious or confused and need/want an answer.

Having said that though, it does seem that there are probably enough of these types of threads archived here that there really truly is nothing more to add to that discussion. In either case, I respect the decision of the moderators as this is a place where we sign up voluntarily and have to adhere to certain rules of engagement.

I assume that a "I can get the sound by x" by not using a pedal is ok?

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No reason to panic, there is no slippery slope. In fact there's no real change in policy; this announcement merely follows the general TalkBass social rule of "Don't Be A Dick". Sometimes specifics are mentioned when dickishness gets out of control on a particular topic, such as when it became a fad to hate ERBs over in the Basses forum (we can all think of other examples, I'm sure).

Can we keep the effects people from trolling the amps forum?
Whenever someone asks about a tube head there are always the people that try and tell the OP that they dont need a tube head because they can get the same tone with some peddle and any SS head.
Sorry you can't

Can we keep the effects people from trolling the amps forum?
Whenever someone asks about a tube head there are always the people that try and tell the OP that they dont need a tube head because they can get the same tone with some peddle and any SS head.
Sorry you can't

Well, when a player posts "Do I need effects?" or "what's the one pedal I really need?" - are these posts not begging the question "Are pedals required?" - and for guys like me, who *have* used lots of effects and eventually concluded that, while they are great fun, they are not all the useful in most gigging situations - are we now to remain silent?

I assume that a "I can get the sound by x" by not using a pedal is ok?

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I would imagine so, because that would be a genuine attempt at finding a real solution. On the other hand, when someone asks about a specific tone that obviously cannot be achieved by fingers, bass and amp, and someone else answers, "I've been gigging 40+ years playing every style of music and never used effects...effects make you disappear in a mix...effects are toys...effects are crutches...effects are useless...just get a good bass and amp" - therein lies the problem.

Even if you can answer an effects question with, "I can get that tone with (insert specific technique/strings/bass/amp here)," there's no need to add the "effects are useless toys" garbage.

Well, when a player posts "Do I need effects?" or "what's the one pedal I really need?" - are these posts not begging the question "Are pedals required?" - and for guys like me, who *have* used lots of effects and eventually concluded that, while they are great fun, they are not all the useful in most gigging situations - are we now to remain silent?

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Another option is ignoring such posts, or the effects forum altogether, especially if you're clearly not into effects.

By "option," I meant that one could choose not to respond. That doesn't mean that a person may not respond, or that "...the person asking gets a bias opinion from a small group of people who will always advise using effects." It means that it may lead to be fewer vague posts, and fewer unhelpful answers either way.

Hopefully, after all of this, the questions in the Effects forum with be less vague and more specific (the OPs bear some responsibility, too), and the answers will be more helpful and less presumptuous and self-congratulatory.

By "option," I meant that one could choose not to respond. That doesn't mean that a person may not respond, or that "...the person asking gets a bias opinion from a small group of people who will always advise using effects." It means that it may lead to be fewer vague posts, and fewer unhelpful answers either way.

Hopefully, after all of this, the questions in the Effects forum with be less vague and more specific (the OPs bear some responsibility, too), and the answers will be more helpful and less presumptuous and self-congratulatory.

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I'm not say that it's okay to tell people they should not use effects when their question is "What OD do I need for X sound?". But when the question is "Do I need effects and why?" It should be fair game for anyone to post whatever opinion they have.

Btw, I really have no issue with someone responding to a legit 'how do I get this sound' query by saying that is best achieved via pickups/eq/amp blah, blah, blah. I see this when posters inquire about a getting a growly sound but not necessarily overdrive for example.